RC Lens vs Olympique Lyon Prediction: Lyon is still in transition

This is going to be an exciting match between RC Lens and Olympique Lyon, as both of these teams want to win some crucial points. RC Lens has been in good form, sitting 5th in the league table, while Lyon sits low in the relegation zone at 14th place, having struggles in defending their goal. Considering Lens' ability to balance the attack and defense fairly well and Lyon fresh from their sweet victory of 4-3, this will be a game full of tactical defending and attacking football

RC Lens has started the season quite well, showing balance in their play with two wins and one draw, without losses from their first three matches. Most of the time, the 3-4-1-2 formation launched by manager Franck Haise focuses indeed on solidity at the back and fluidity up front. At their resolute best in their last outing-a 1-1 draw away to AS Monaco-Lens won only 39% of possession, yet fashioned two big chances while conceding just one goal. Frankowski's penalty in that match further iterated how clinical Lens have been this season from set-piece situations.

The Lens defense has been stalwart, with the team recording less than 2.5 goals in four out of its last five matches. They have been so clinical, even with limited possession; they have scored the first goal in five out of their last seven games. Efficiency key to being tactically on point in the approach that they employ while setting up compact and breaking on the counter.

This is a game of the well-organized defense of Lens pitted against the unpredictable but potent attack of Lyon. In this case, Lens will most likely retain their compact shape while using quick transitions and set pieces as a means of creating scoring chances. Considering how high a defensive line Lyon keeps, with the tendency to concede first-a total of 4 out of 5 matches so far, Lens might have some success by exploiting the spaces left behind.

While Lyon are in a transition period with the new manager, the visitors have blown hot and cold this season, evident by a win and two losses-a fact that exposes their frailties at the back. In their last match, a 4-3 thrilling win over Strasbourg, Lyon's attacking flair was full on as Gift Orban bagged a brace to keep his team within touching distance of their opponents. But they have been conceding profusely, too, with four goals let in that game alone and no clean sheet kept in their last four games.

The 3-5-2 formation Lyon deploy, through which much emphasis is placed on wing-back support and midfield control. However, they have struggled to maintain stability at the back. Despite creating six big chances against Strasbourg, Lyon allowed the opposition to score three times-a clear vulnerability at the back.

The game plan for Lyon would be to try and break down the Lens defense with their creative midfielders, and they would really be relying on movement and finishing from Gift Orban to find the back of the net. The backline is a cause for concern in this Lyon team, up against a Lens side that knows how to boss games without having much possession.

Historically, Lyon have held the advantage in this fixture, having taken home all three points from 12 of the last 20 meetings between the sides. But recent meetings seem to tell a different story, as the last such outing in March of 2024 saw Lens hammer Lyon 3-0 away. A long, protracted defensive battle has seen Lyon fail to keep out Lens in their last eight games with their opponents.

With the influence of their unbeaten start to the season at home, Lens will be motivated, especially as their defensive performances have been so strong. The Stade Bollaert-Delelis can be a massive boost for the team, amplifying their home advantage.

Meanwhile, Lyon will have the burden of trying to recapture momentum following their erratic start. The recent high-scoring game may have given them confidence in attack, but it is hard to shake off the psychological burden of their defensive frailties. Their away form also bears concern, having conceded a total of 12 goals in the last five outings away from home.

• Both Teams to Score @ 1.64 Odds
• Home/Draw & Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.17 Odds
• Correct Score 2-1 @ 8.50 Odds